Battleships are any class of warships that are the most heavily armoured and equipped with the most powerful armour protection and high calibre guns. It is built to fight off destroyers capable of displacing 12k to 18k tons.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas said it was recently discovered that Nigerians had more than enough to produce such boats as they got delivery of 16 of such boats. Hence, it has partnered with a local manufacturer and engaged a Nigerian firm, Epenal to take up the task.
In his words, this will boost the courage of nations going against nations with the awareness that they have technologies that can fight their opponents.
Over the years, Nigeria with respect to Navy has sourced for ways to improve its technological capabilities and this invention is a green light to the long-awaited development.
The Navy has subscribed to over 150 of the boats for a start and subsequently will pay more to incur more.
Speaking about its advantages over previous purchases, it has saved a whole lot of foreign exchange for the nation. Also, engaging an indigenous company is also an avenue for job opportunities to save the generation of unemployed youths.
The firmness with which the Vice-Admiral disclosed all this information showed his readiness to lead the team of Navy to deal with militancy and piracy to it’s bearest minimum in the country. On behalf of the Navy, they will not wait until the existence of the nation, people and properties become threatened and safety cannot be guaranteed before they act.
These and more wide range of contingencies have and will be put in place to secure the Nigerian shoreline.
